flynmoose
New Member
****EDITED FOR READABILITY ****
Hello All,
Long time lurker. New state, new house, new problems...
We recently moved into a community well neighborhood in Chapel Hill. The water is supplied by Aqua (private water company) and is tested regularly as part of the NC SWAP (source water assessment program).
The well head has iron and manganese that was not remediated in the neighborhood until a few years ago. All toilet tanks in the house are black like they have rubber lining (which they don't). No slime - just black and chalky.
Source Water:
Iron and Manganese levels in 2005 (distribution system - not well head)
Iron .949 mg/L
Manganese .534 mg/L
(This is what was running through the house until Aqua put in additional filters at the well head.)
Iron and Manganese levels in 2012
Iron - ND
Manganese - 0.0114 mg/L
PH 7.1
Sodium 21 mg/L
Sulfate 46 mg/L
Nitrate / Nitrite - ND
Free Clorine - 0.5-1.9 (avg 1.1) mg/L (no Clorimine when last tested in 2006)
Total Tri-halo-methanes 6.1-75 ppb
TDS - 325 (measured with my personal electronic TDS meter)
Total Harness - 197 mg/L (haven't had measured - as reported in HOA Water Quality Report)
Aqua water treatment consists of hypoclorination and pressure sand filter to remove the Iron and Manganese.
Big Blue:
Previous homeowner installed a Crystal Quest 3-gang filter (3 - 4"x20" Big Blues).
Filter #1 - 5 Micron Sediment
Filter #2 - multi-stage (1 micron filter, KDF-55, KDF-85, GAC, 1 micron)
Filter #3 - Coconut Shell GAC
I assume the previous owner did this to try to mediate the manganese problem before Aqua added filters at the well head.
The replacement #2 filter is several hundred dollars direct from the original source and probably still $100-200 if I source it elsewhere.
When we moved in the filter system was out of service due to a broken housing. It has since been replaced as part of the purchase agreement. We noticed that while it was out of service, the dishwasher smelled after we ran it and the smell went away after we put the filters back in service. So they ARE removing something from the water.
Static water pressure usually runs 80PSI. I had to replace the first housing which didn't have a pressure port tap - so I don't know the pressure drop across the 3-gang unit. But with high flow, I usually see 50 PSI on the output side of the 3rd filter.
The plumbing on BB system is a mess. See later post for picture. Probably some head loss just from all the bends and runs.
Usage:
5 family (2 adults - 3 pre-teens). Frequent house guests. 3 1/2 bath. Hot tub and koi pond needing periodic makeup water.
We are on septic. I had 5 years of nightmares with our septic in WI. I'm hesitant to even put backwash down the septic but I don't know where I would send it if I don't and I don't think it is to code around here to release brine/backwash to surface...
Questions:
1) Should I ditch the 3-gang filter or possibly canabilize it for potential re-deployment of pre and post filters
2) Softener - I think I need one!
3) Not a fan of the residual clorine from the community well treatment. I assume the GAC stage is taking care of that now but if I ditch that, should have something else
4) Since I pay for water (metered) AND all the salt and water have to go into my septic, I'm keen to minimize both water and salt. Does that change my strategy?
I'm mostly a DIY guy. I'm getting quotes from some local softener dealers but had a bad experience with our supplier in WI and tend to be VERY LEARY of snake oil salesmen in this business. Not opposed to a DIY internet order and
Once I get this all sorted out, most of the plumbing fixtures will be replaced, an RO system for reefer, ice, and drinking will be installed, and I'm guessing the electric WH will go in a few years given the lack of treated water it has had to deal with...all items for other areas here at Terry Love DIY.
Hello All,
Long time lurker. New state, new house, new problems...
We recently moved into a community well neighborhood in Chapel Hill. The water is supplied by Aqua (private water company) and is tested regularly as part of the NC SWAP (source water assessment program).
The well head has iron and manganese that was not remediated in the neighborhood until a few years ago. All toilet tanks in the house are black like they have rubber lining (which they don't). No slime - just black and chalky.
Source Water:
Iron and Manganese levels in 2005 (distribution system - not well head)
Iron .949 mg/L
Manganese .534 mg/L
(This is what was running through the house until Aqua put in additional filters at the well head.)
Iron and Manganese levels in 2012
Iron - ND
Manganese - 0.0114 mg/L
PH 7.1
Sodium 21 mg/L
Sulfate 46 mg/L
Nitrate / Nitrite - ND
Free Clorine - 0.5-1.9 (avg 1.1) mg/L (no Clorimine when last tested in 2006)
Total Tri-halo-methanes 6.1-75 ppb
TDS - 325 (measured with my personal electronic TDS meter)
Total Harness - 197 mg/L (haven't had measured - as reported in HOA Water Quality Report)
Aqua water treatment consists of hypoclorination and pressure sand filter to remove the Iron and Manganese.
Big Blue:
Previous homeowner installed a Crystal Quest 3-gang filter (3 - 4"x20" Big Blues).
Filter #1 - 5 Micron Sediment
Filter #2 - multi-stage (1 micron filter, KDF-55, KDF-85, GAC, 1 micron)
Filter #3 - Coconut Shell GAC
I assume the previous owner did this to try to mediate the manganese problem before Aqua added filters at the well head.
The replacement #2 filter is several hundred dollars direct from the original source and probably still $100-200 if I source it elsewhere.
When we moved in the filter system was out of service due to a broken housing. It has since been replaced as part of the purchase agreement. We noticed that while it was out of service, the dishwasher smelled after we ran it and the smell went away after we put the filters back in service. So they ARE removing something from the water.
Static water pressure usually runs 80PSI. I had to replace the first housing which didn't have a pressure port tap - so I don't know the pressure drop across the 3-gang unit. But with high flow, I usually see 50 PSI on the output side of the 3rd filter.
The plumbing on BB system is a mess. See later post for picture. Probably some head loss just from all the bends and runs.
Usage:
5 family (2 adults - 3 pre-teens). Frequent house guests. 3 1/2 bath. Hot tub and koi pond needing periodic makeup water.
We are on septic. I had 5 years of nightmares with our septic in WI. I'm hesitant to even put backwash down the septic but I don't know where I would send it if I don't and I don't think it is to code around here to release brine/backwash to surface...
Questions:
1) Should I ditch the 3-gang filter or possibly canabilize it for potential re-deployment of pre and post filters
2) Softener - I think I need one!
3) Not a fan of the residual clorine from the community well treatment. I assume the GAC stage is taking care of that now but if I ditch that, should have something else
4) Since I pay for water (metered) AND all the salt and water have to go into my septic, I'm keen to minimize both water and salt. Does that change my strategy?
I'm mostly a DIY guy. I'm getting quotes from some local softener dealers but had a bad experience with our supplier in WI and tend to be VERY LEARY of snake oil salesmen in this business. Not opposed to a DIY internet order and
Once I get this all sorted out, most of the plumbing fixtures will be replaced, an RO system for reefer, ice, and drinking will be installed, and I'm guessing the electric WH will go in a few years given the lack of treated water it has had to deal with...all items for other areas here at Terry Love DIY.
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